Article use

GA1

The use of the definite, the indefinite and the zero articles

As a general rule, the definite article accompanies a noun that is, as indicated by the context, known and the indefinite article accompanies a noun that is, as indicated by the context, unknown. The zero article is used in various and diverse ways.

Definite article

A noun is indicated as known by the context when:

1. it is unique

2. it is clearly referred to

3. it has been previously mentioned

Indefinite article

A noun is indicated as unknown by the context when:

1. it is an indefinite representative of a class of things

Zero article

The zero article is used in various and diverse ways:

1.in plural, if the indefinite article has a singular number

2. as a representative of a class of things in plural

3. in singular, when it indicates the material something is made of or with collective nouns

4. with abstract ideas

5. with temporal noun phrases without a preposition

6. with noun phrases of quantity

7. with proper names